Kalanchoe plant named Fuji

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named Fuji characterized by its bicolored yellow to golden-yellow flowers, compact and free branching habit, floriferous habit, and by its adaptability to produce in 10 to 15 cm pots.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe, and referred to by thecultivar name Fuji.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation FK83-108, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The basic objective of the breeding program was tocreate a new Kalanchoe cultivar having mixed yellow and yellow-orangeflowers, compact habit, short flowering response and good keepingquality.

Fuji was originated by applicant from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in De Lier, Holland. The female, or seed parent was acultivar designated Yellow Nugget, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,726. The male, or pollen parent was the cultivar designated 81-0885.

Fuji was discovered and selected by applicant as a flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in DeLier, Holland. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by stemcuttings, as performed by me at De Lier, Holland, has demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Fuji has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Parrish, Fla., under greenhouse conditions which closely approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Fuji, which in combination distinguish thisKalanchoe as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. General tonality of flower color at 3 feet is yellow. Closerobservation reveals a mixture of yellow and yellow-gold flowers.

2. Compact habit and average growth rate.

3. Freely branching, with shoots formed at every node.

4. Suitable for production in 10-15 cm pots, and flowering in 12-13weeks using photoperiodic control.

5. Very floriferous, with numerous flowers formed at every node.

6. Responds to B-9 applications to control height.

7. Medium-small sized leaves that are very thick and persistent.

The new cultivar is most similar to the cultivar Fortyniner. Chart Acompares certain characteristics of both Fortyniner and Fuji. Fuji isprincipally distinguished from Fortyniner by its better growth habit,slightly larger flowers, more golden yellower flower color, and earlierflowering.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The photograph is in black and white, with certainflowers being colored in an effort to obtain accurate color depiction.However, the bicolored flower makes completely accurate color depictionvirtually impossible.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), except where general colors ofordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken underfluorescent light conditions in September in Parrish, Fla.

Botanical classification: Kalanchoe, cv. Fuji.

Parentage:

Male parent.--81-0885.

Female parent.--Yellow Nugget.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings and by division ofshoots.

(A) Type cutting.--Shoot tip.

(B) Time to root.--10-14 days at 21° C.

(C) Rooting habit.--Fibrous, many very fine roots.

Plant description:

(A) Form.--Upright, short compact growth. Scheduling practices canproduce small plants in 10 cm pots and larger plants in 15 cm pots.

(B) Habit of growth.--Average rate for this type of plant. Shoots areformed at every node.

(C) Foliage description.--Leaves simple, opposite, ovate with unevenlycrenate margins. (1) Size: 5-13 cm long. 5-10 cm wide. (2) Shape: Ovate.(3) Texture: Smooth, waxy and succulent. (4) Margin: Unevenly crenate.(5) Color: Young and mature foliage, top side 147A, under side 147B.

Flowering description:

(A) Flowering habit.--Compound dichasial cyme on strong peduncles.Peduncle length depends on growing conditions and B-9 applicationsPedicles up to 5 mm long.

(B) Natural flowering season.--Fall. Flowering time under controlled daylength at 75°-85° F. in summer is 13-15 weeks; in winter at 62°-70° F.,12 weeks. Flowering time depends on temperature, light intensity andother growing conditions.

(C) Flower buds.--Oblong, developing to tubular as petals mature,sheathed with four green sepals. Corolla at maturity about 10-14 mmlong. (1) Size: 10-14 mm long. (2) Shape: Oblong. (3) Rate of opening:Normal.

(D) Flowers borne.--Compound dichasial cyme on strong peduncles.Peduncle length depends on growing conditions and B-9 applications.Pedicles up to 5 mm long.

(E) Quantity of flowers.--Very floriferous, with new buds continuing todevelop.

(F) Petals.--(1) Shape: Corolla funnel shaped, petal apex abruptlyacuminate. (2) Color: Top side when opening, ranging from 9B to 13A to22A, fading to colors ranging from 9C to 13C to 22C; under side, rangingfrom 9D to 13C to 22C. (3) Number and size of petals: Four (4), petals 7mm in diameter; total flower diameter 16-18 mm.

(G) Reproductive organs.--(1) Stamens: Eight (8) in number. (a) Anthershape: Flat, elliptical. (b) Filament color: Yellow. (c) Pollen color:Yellow. (2) Pistels (a) Stigma shape: Flat, crystalline. (b) Stylecolor: Greenish white. (c) Ovaries: 4-celled, cu. 7 mm long, green.

Disease resistance: No known Kalanchoe diseases observed to date.

General observations: Fuji is characterized by its flowers of differentshades mixed together on the same plant, with colors ranging from yellowto golden-yellow to generally butterscotch. The bicolor flowers, compacthabit and early flowering make Fuji an attractive new cultivar.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        Fuji vs. Fortyniner                                                           Summer Conditions                                                                          Fuji        Fortyniner                                           ______________________________________                                        Mature flower  Bicolor ranges                                                                              Solid 8A                                         color          9B/13A/22A                                                     Flowering plant                                                                              26 cm         22 cm                                            height                                                                        Weeks to flower                                                                              13            14                                               Mature leaf width                                                                            Up to 8 cm    Up to 8.5 cm                                     Mature leaf length                                                                           Up to 12 cm   Up to 13 cm                                      Diameter of Flower                                                                           18 mm         17 mm                                            ______________________________________                                    

The plants of Fuji and Fortyniner which were used in this comparisonwere grown together on the same bench in a greenhouse in Parrish, Fla.The color readings were taken under fluorescent light at 2:00 pm onSept. 17, 1986.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named Fuji,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itsbicolored yellow to golden-yellow flowers, compact and free branchinghabit, floriferous habit, and by its adaptability to produce in 10 to 15cm pots.